Funeral takes place Friday, Jan. 10, for former Bay City woman slain in Midland

MIDLAND, MI — Funeral arrangements have been set for a 31-year-old Midland woman police have said was slain by her husband, who then fatally shot himself.

The funeral for Melissa Jane Hodgins-Parker is to take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10, at W.L. Case & Co. Funeral Directors, 5700 Dixie Highway in Saginaw. Loved ones may visit the funeral home at 11 a.m. Friday.

According to her obituary, Hodgins-Parker is survived by three children. She was born in West Branch and formerly lived in Bay City.

"She was hardworking, compassionate, kind, giving and a talented artist," her obituary states. "She had a glowing smile that made people smile in return. She enjoyed playing bingo, bowling and going to the casino."

Midland police on the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 3, responded to Hodgins-Parker's apartment at the Village at Joseph's Run apartment complex in reference to a call of two people down. They found Hodgins-Parker dead from a gunshot wound and her 36-year-old husband, John L. Parker II, suffering from life-threatening injuries.

Parker was transported to MidMichigan Medical Center, but succumbed to his wounds on Monday, Jan. 6.

Out of sensitivity for the Parkers' loved ones, Midland police said they did not plan on releasing names of the deceased, but Chief Clifford Block confirmed their identities.

Police have said the deaths appear to have resulted from a murder-suicide, and that the man used his handgun to shoot the woman and himself.